San Francisco Bail Bonds

Espinoza Bail Bonds provides bail bond services to inmates detained in all jails located in the greater San Francisco area. We specialize in getting people out of jail FAST and have flexible payment options. If your friend or loved one is in jail, please contact us at (415) 319-6400 or complete the form below for immediate assistance, and a no obligation free consultation.

Bail Bond Agents in San Francisco

Our San Francisco bail bond agents are qualified bondsman with experience writing bail bonds to get people out of jail fast. All of Espinoza Bail Bond Agents, Bail Bonding Agents and Bail bondsmen are here to serve you. Give us a call at (415) 319-6400 we are ready to talk to you 24 hours a day.

Many people do not understand the difference between the terms bail and bond. However, for those who have gotten into legal difficulty, it is important to understand how bail works and the bail bonding process. In the simplest terms, bail is the amount of money that a person has to pay to get out of the San Francisco jail after they have been arrested. The bail amount is set to an amount that the San Francisco court believes will be sufficient to make certain that a person who is released from jail will return for his or her court hearing. Bail money is returned after the court process is completed.

As many people do not have enough money to pay their own bail, there are a number of bondsmen who provide bail bonds in San Francisco to help people who are in need of bail. Though no money actually changes hands, a bondsman can be looked at as a person who loans money to a person in order to pay his or her bail. Just as with any type of loan, the bondsman will want a responsible person to agree to pay the loan and often some form of collateral. Collateral for a bond could include real estate, automobiles or other valuable private property. If a person who is out on bail absconds, or runs, the bondsman will hire a bounty hunter to find and return the person to the jail.

The San Francisco County Sheriff’s Department operates a number of jails in the area, all of which are served by bondsman. However, Jail #1 is the primary release point for people held in any of the county jails. For providing the bail bond service, a bondsman will charge a fee. In most cases the cost of bail bonds San Francisco will be about 10 to 15 percent of the total bail, plus any expenses that are incurred by the bondsman.

The Basics of the Bail Bond Process in San Francisco, CA

When someone is charged with a crime in San Francisco, CA, one of three things may happen: the person may be released on their own recognizance, given a bail amount, or held without bail for the most serious charges. Bail is the amount of money the court requires to be paid to be released from jail.

The following is how the bail bond process works in San Francisco, California.

The Booking and Bail Process San Francisco

When someone is arrested, the first stop is the nearest police or sheriff station for booking and processing. During this process, the defendant’s fingerprints and photographs are taken. A background check will also be conducted. This process usually takes 2 to 6 hours but it can take longer.

After booking and processing, bail will be set based on the county’s California Bail Schedule. This Bail Schedule dictates bail amounts for most charges, allowing a jail to set a bail amount before the defendant has to see a judge. Bail amounts vary depending on residency, the type of crime, and the county. Law enforcement will only accept the scheduled bail amount. If the defendant is hoping for a lower bail amount, they must go before a judge. The purpose of bail is ensuring the defendant will attend their future court appearances while being released from jail.

Bail isn’t guaranteed, however. Bail may not be allowed for very serious charges. Judges can also deny bail, in which case the defendant must remain in jail until the court date.

How to Get Bailed Out of Jail in San Francisco, CA

Bail may be posted in three ways:

Cash Bail
A bail bond through a bail bondsman
Property bond

With cash bail, the full bail amount must be paid to the clerk of the court or arresting agency. Cash bail can usually be paid by cash, traveler’s check, personal check, money order, or a cashier’s check. When bail is paid in cash, a full refund will be provided within 60 to 90 days of the case’s resolution. If the defendant fails to appear, the bail amount is forfeited to the court. Sometimes cash bail is simply impossible as bail amounts can be tens of thousands of dollars.

Property bonds allow the court to place a lien on property. If the defendant does not appear for court, the court can foreclose on the property. Property bonds are time-consuming, difficult, and rarely used.

The most common way to get out of jail is through a bail bond. Bail bonds are easy to obtain and can get someone released from jail in just 30 minutes to a few hours. This process involves working with a bail bondsman or bail agent who posts the bail in exchange for a non-refundable premium.

The bail bondsman’s contract will usually last for 12 months. If the case goes beyond this period, a renewal premium is usually required. Sometimes collateral is also required in addition to the premium.

To get someone released from jail in San Francisco with a bail bond, a cosigner will need to speak with a licensed bail bondsman and complete a bail application and contract. It isn’t necessary to meet face to face; these documents can be completed via email or fax in most cases. The person who signs the bond will be financially responsible for the full bond amount if the defendant does not meet court obligations.

After the paperwork is complete and the bail bond premium is paid, the bail bondsman will go to the jail to post the bond. In California, bail bonds can be posted 24/7 to get someone released from jail. After this point, the person who signed the bail bond will have the financial responsibility to ensure the defendant meets court obligations and makes all court dates. If the defendant fails to meet these obligations, the signer is required to pay the full bail amount.